What are essential, influential films beyond the usual IMDb Top 250?

[KennethXP]

I'm trying to compile a personal list of essential films to watch, moving beyond the usual IMDb Top 250, and I'm particularly interested in movies that have had a profound influence on cinematic technique or storytelling, regardless of their mainstream popularity. I recently watched "Citizen Kane" for the first time and finally understood its technical innovations, but I know there are many other pivotal works from different eras and global cinemas. For serious film buffs, what are the most significant movies that every aspiring cinephile should see to understand the evolution of the medium? Which directors' filmographies offer the most rewarding deep dives, and are there any overlooked masterpieces from the 70s or 90s that you feel are consistently absent from these canonical lists?

[Nora3]

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